The Marines have been collecting Toys for Tots since 1947. Semper Fi!

And it’s grown far beyond and extra curricular activity for off duty Marines. In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved making the annual Toys for Tots drive an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. Over the last 62 years, the US Marine Corps Reserve have distributed over 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation has added to the toy collections by purchasing nearly a half billion dollars in toys to insure that no child gets left behind at Christmas.

And this year, as with any year, the campaign needs your help. You know the mission – pick up an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl and look for one of those dashing jarheads sitting next to a collection box near the entrance to the store. Or, you can Swing by http://www.toysfortots.org/ to make a cash donation to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. While at the site, you can find more information on a toy collecting center in your area.

Semper Fi and Merry Christmas!

It doesn’t take but a cursory look at the tricycle to see the problem. There are several rotating fairy figures, including Tinkerbell that rest on the top of the handlebars right in the way should a child fall. And while a child may not get cut upon them, it’s painfully obvious to CT that it’ll certainly hurt to hand upon them. Sometimes we wonder who thinks up these things and, more importantly, who doesn’t see the danger at Disney? I know, they’re probably thinking that a tricycle is such a stable platform, there is no way a child will go head over heals and land on that handlebar. Still, the danger is there.

The trike is green, purple and white, with yellow wheels. “Disney Fairies” is printed in the front directly below the handlebar. It was sold at Target stores from July through December of 2009 for around $50. If your child plays on one, you are advised to take the toy away and contact Kiddieland at 800-430-5307 or visit their website www.kiddieland.com.hk for a free replacement handlebar.

The other hidden benefit is that it’s easier to keep an eye on two kids who are riding together than riding separately on their own trike. But I’m not sure if the $300 price tag is worth it considering your average Radio Flyer trike runs about $60 and has twin steps for riding on the back of (not to mention the cool ringing bell and red/white tassels). But that’s largely due to the premium you pay courtesy Hammacher-Schlemmer. the Tandem Trike does look well put together with sturdy pipe construction and huge knobby tires. And it also has that small cargo sector in the back for bringing along teddy bears and what not on the ride in the park. So if you can swing the price tag, it looks like it could go the distance of a tough riding duo putting it through a lot of abuse before they grow out of it.

But that fire engine read of the Radio Flyer … it beckons me!

Hat Tip – Our sister site CG

You just know that on a day when the waves were all beach break, bored surfers decided to rip apart their old skateboards and screw the trucks on their boards. The result was an invasion of the local skateboard parks and river washes to do some serious shredding. That would be the legend. And it’s not far from the truth. The surfers were 7 friends who’s lives were wrapped around the ocean. They did everything from surfing to diving, and even lifeguarding. Then they decided to design a Hamboard over dinner. Then came 8 years of tweaking the design and finding just the right combination of trucks, wheels, and board. And the result was the Hamboard, which feels surprisingly similar to surfing.

Check out the video of the Hamboards in action:

Prices start at around $300 and go up to nearly $900. But considering high quality skateboards are about the same, that’s not too bad. All Hamboards come COMPLETE with wheels, trucks and bearings and with FREE shipping in the USA.All Hamboards come COMPLETE with wheels, trucks and bearings and with FREE shipping in the USA.All Hamboards come COMPLETE with wheels, trucks and bearings and with FREE shipping in the USA.

As the old Jan and Dean song goes … Grab a board and go sidewalk surfing with me!

Industrial designer Ryan Callahan got the idea that if kids learned about how to balance themselves on two wheels from an even earlier age, it would make learning to ride a convention bicycle infinitely easier and with less trauma. I agree with that after my run ins as a child. So he invented the Trex Light Cycle Push Bike. And even though it doesn’t have rotating wheels to go faster, it keeps kids from getting bored with it’s design. Guarantee you, you screen TRON for your kid and then he finds his under the tree at Christmas? He won’t want to get off, his imagination will do the rest. And meanwhile, he’ll be learning about balance and not even know it!

The Trex Light Cycle Push Bike is only in prototype right now though, as it was just unveiled at TrekWorld 2012, last week. But here’s hoping that he can get Disney on board and find a manufacturer to crank these out by the holidays! Then, perhaps we can get him to design one that does have rotating wheels for all us Dads!

Hat Tip – DVice

The Scoot n’ Zoom Flyer measures 19 inches long, 11 inches wide and 13.5 inches tall. And as a result, children sit pretty high in the saddle and can fall forward either during a turn or sudden stop.

Sold at Walmart and other online retailers such as Amazon.com and Target.com from August 2010 through August 2011, the riding toy retailed for about $20. The recall covers model number 711, which can be found molded on the underside of the toy. Model #711B are not recalled. Parents are advised to take the toy away immediately and contact Radio Flyer for a free replacement or a full refund.

For additional information, contact Radio Flyer at (800) 621-7613 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s website at www.radioflyer.com

Hat Tip – About Toys

The Toddler Torpedo is a sweet lookin’ ride-on for little ones that combines the smooth speed of a skateboard with the bullet like streamline of a racer. And it makes me wish there was an adult version!

Built by designer Jerry Koza, it looks to be built out of fiberglass with twin handlebars and a comfortable seat. Sadly though, there are no foot pedals, meaning it’s meant for more fantasy than real speed. And a good thing too, since it’s for little ones to scoot around on. But I can already see a larger version with proper wheels turning this bad boy into a serious derby racer. Course, the potential of a face plant is huge.

Just looking at it though, it says “I feel the need, the need for SPEED!” But all that sleek design comes at a price … €785 or $1129! OUCH! Don’t think I’ll be getting one of those anytime soon. Still, if you have deep pockets, there’s six different styles to choose from. My personal favorite is the Herbie Love Bug paint scheme.

Hat Tip – Babyology

I wanted to design a car that people would like and made me feel heroic. So I decided I would model it after one of the most important vehicles of our nation’s history: the T-65 X-wing fighter.

The car was built by Instructables member “The Papier Boy,” who builds them every year with his dad. This year, he went to a galaxy far, far away for inspiration. He started with a previous model, stripped it down, took designs he found online and began cutting wood. He even added a spinning R2D2, made out of styrofoam and parts from an old toy to spin it. Some PVC, a few old video game parts, and voila … Papier Boy becomes RED FIVE and he’s goin’ in!

Put children in the driver’s seat of their imagination. While supplies last, enjoy savings of up to 45% on these select Radio Flyer ride-ons. Whether they’re learning the rules of the road or winning the big race, Radio Flyer’s ride-ons make childhood dreams soar.

And what’s really great is that all items listed include free Super Saver or Prime shipping (for Prime members). Some restrictions apply, and as always, it’s while supplies last. Check out this deal:

The Radio Flyer Ultimate Flyer Classic Wagon: Comes with canopy for sunny days, a storage bag, wooden sides, cup holders, and adjustable hangers. There’s thick padded seat rests and seats and a fold under handle with cork grip. List price $250, on sale for That’s not the little red wagon I had growing, that’s for sure!

All Lego construction sets and games are also going for Buy 1 get one at 50% off. Nerf toys, 25% off. BOGO50 deals on all baseball equipment and trading cards. Nintendo DS games 2 for $50. $25 off Microsoft Kinect and 2 Video games. BOGO50 on Thomas the Tank Engine Toys, $20 off bikes, BOGO50 on dolls. You’d be hard pressed to NOT find a deal on the toys you’re looking for as just about everything is on sale.

So hitch a ride on the Jeffrey Soul Train and shop early for Christmas! Sale ends Sunday.